45 RPM LPs?

[crwilli]

I am old enough to have heard 78's and own 100's of 33 1/3 LPs as well as the single 45's. I just recently decided to start dabbling with my old vinyl collection and am looking to purchase some new music. What is the story with 45 RPM LPs?

[Maks]

They're LPs that run at 45 instead of 33 Since they spin faster there is the potential for increased quality over 33 1/3 depending on mastering.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by Maks

They're LPs that run at 45 instead of 33 Since they spin faster there is the potential for increased quality over 33 1/3 depending on mastering.

I guess I deserved that.

The question is why do they offer the potential to sound better?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by crwilli

I guess I deserved that.

The question is why do they offer the potential to sound better?

crwilli.......A simplified answer is any time you increase the length of space to record an analog signal you have the potential for better sound, primarily increased dynamic range. When a 33.33 RPM record plays there is less groove length in any one second time period to record sound compared to 45 RPM records. As the stylus makes its way to the center of the record there is less and less length of a groove for every second of time. The same is true for 45 RPM records but the added groove length per one second of playback is longer in length. This means a signal can be recorded with wider dynamic range and the increase in inner groove distortion is less on 45 RPM records than 33 RPM records.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by jdandy

crwilli.......A simplified answer is any time you increase the length of space to record an analog signal you have the potential for better sound, primarily increased dynamic range. When a 33.33 RPM record plays there is less groove length in any one second time period to record sound compared to 45 RPM records. As the stylus makes its way to the center of the record there is less and less length of a groove for every second of time. The same is true for 45 RPM records but the added groove length per one second of playback is longer in length. This means a signal can be recorded with wider dynamic range and the increase in inner groove distortion is less on 45 RPM records than 33 RPM records.

I understand. Who knew? Is it me or is it getting more complicated, some might say fun, given the myriad choices of source. Seemingly infinite digital evolutions and now after so many years, a new analogue format ( at least to me).

What's next, an improved 8 Track format?

[antipop]

Originally Posted by jdandy

crwilli.......A simplified answer is any time you increase the length of space to record an analog signal you have the potential for better sound, primarily increased dynamic range. When a 33.33 RPM record plays there is less groove length in any one second time period to record sound compared to 45 RPM records. As the stylus makes its way to the center of the record there is less and less length of a groove for every second of time. The same is true for 45 RPM records but the added groove length per one second of playback is longer in length. This means a signal can be recorded with wider dynamic range and the increase in inner groove distortion is less on 45 RPM records than 33 RPM records.

Dan, always a great reply. I always assumed, for some odd reason, that 33 was better and for full albums whereas 45 were for single track.

Your explanation is very clear and makes a lot of sense. So the best sound would be 78 but then you'd be limited by the total length of play (10min per side at best) which would be too inconvenient and too costly.

[GaryProtein]

Originally Posted by antipop

Dan, always a great reply. I always assumed, for some odd reason, that 33 was better and for full albums whereas 45 were for single track.

Your explanation is very clear and makes a lot of sense. So the best sound would be 78 but then you'd be limited by the total length of play (10min per side at best) which would be too inconvenient and too costly.

Unlike tape which benefits from increasingly high recording and playback speeds, an arm, cartridge and stylus will start to have tracking difficulties-bouncing around the groove at very high speeds like 78 rpm, so the 45 rpm LP is probably approaching the limit.

[jdandy]

Gary.......I was reading about some of the original shellac recordings and was surprised to discover some were recorded at 130 RPM's.

The 78 RPM standard came into being from the use of AC synchronous motors that spun at 3600 RPM and through the use of gears was reduced to 78 RPM rotation. Edison's waxed drum player rotated at 80 RPM. We've come a long ways, Baby.

[antipop]

Originally Posted by jdandy

That's the ultimate quest for the hipster audiophile. I only listen to wax drums

[rlw3]

many of the 45 rpm records seem to have more unused inner area where fidelity,dynamics and signal density problems are greatest. it is a pain to get up and change the lp after 2 or 3 songs.
have you all seen the classical records from the netherlands that start on the inside and work outwards when the classical pieces start out with little signal density which works best on the inside of the record?